2015 Volkswagen Golf R: North American International Auto Show

Why the 2015 Volkswagen Golf R Matters:

The newly minted 2015 Volkswagen Golf R sits on the same improved platform as the upcoming Golf and GTI models for 2015 and unseats the previous “R” in both power and fuel economy. With a refined interior and improved handling capabilities, it should hit a sweet spot for the more discriminating road warrior, competing against the less sophisticated Subaru WRX STI or Mitsubishi Evo. The challenge is that the price will rival many entry-level luxury vehicles (probably in mid-to-high $30’s), so justifying the purchase will demand a dedicated fan – and Volkswagen has many.

New 2015 Volkswagen Golf R: Styling and Design

The exterior trappings are worthy of the flagship position the Golf R commands, the most striking being the dual “U” shaped LED daytime running lights behind the headlamps. A new bumper design with mega-air inlets and radiator grille sports the “R” logo proudly along with bold branding on the 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, front fenders, side skirts, trunk lid and diffusers near the four chrome tailpipes. Of course, the interior is sharp, with sporty black leather seats, custom instrumentation and a three-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel with chrome “R” on its cross bar.

New 2015 Volkswagen Golf R: Features and Technology

In its new iteration, the Golf R has an advanced level of updated cosmetics that are more than skin deep. Alongside its showy Bi-Xenon headlamps and sideskirts and wheels, the ride height was dropped by 0.8 inches, improving stance and stability, and the standard “ESC Sport” feature can deactivate the stability control function for track driving in a flick of the button. Also, the 2015 Volkswagen R includes the updated next-generation radio and navigation featuring proximity sensors. As your hand reaches for the screen, the image switches to input mode.

2015 Volkswagen Golf R: What Autobytel Thinks

In the U.S., the very name “Golf” has had to overcome a wimpy image, but Volkswagen's done a terrific job turning up the heat with the GTI and now the R -- upping the ante to attract young enthusiast who lust for somewhat affordable German engineering. So the new Golf R brings it to another level with a double punch -- power and driving excitement on one hand along with efficiency and refinement for daily driving on the other. You'll have to wait until early 2015 to get one, however.